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Reviewed By
Carmee Murphy
Attorney
Carmee Murphy graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2002 and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2005. Ms. Murphy has 20 years of experience in civil litigation. From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Murphy was selected to the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list, and in 2019, selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list. Since 2017, Ms. Murphy has advised and assisted solo practitioners and law firms in civil proceedings in a variety of state and federal jurisdictions.
The FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration is the form California family courts use to see each party's income, expenses, assets and debts before deciding any question about money. In a divorce, legal separation, parentage or child support case you need it in three situations.
- Any hearing on child support, spousal support or domestic partner support. California Rules of Court, rule 5.260 requires both parties to complete, file and serve a current FL-150: the party asking for support attaches it to the Request for Order (FL-300), and the other party attaches it to the Responsive Declaration (FL-320). This covers both new support requests and a request to modify support after a change in income or circumstances.
- A request for attorney's fees and costs. Rule 5.427 requires a current FL-150 with the FL-300, the Request for Attorney's Fees and Costs Attachment (FL-319) and a supporting declaration (FL-158).
- The preliminary declaration of disclosure. Family Code section 2104 requires each party to serve an FL-150 with the Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140) and the Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142), either with the petition or response or within 60 days of filing it. This set is served on the other party and is not filed; you file only the FL-141 to tell the court the service happened.
The rules define current as completed within the past three months with no change in the facts. If your FL-150 is older than that when a hearing comes up, prepare a new one. In child support hearings only, a party who meets the requirements on page 2 of the Financial Statement (Simplified), FL-155, may use that shorter form instead; the FL-155 cannot be used for spousal support or attorney's fee requests.
Before reaching the stage where the FL-150 is needed, parties file the initial divorce paperwork, the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110), which set the case in motion. The FL-150 then provides the complete financial picture the court needs for support, fees and the equitable division of the marital estate, and it is required again each time a new request or modification is pending.
1. Download the current FL-150 (revised September 1, 2024) from the California Courts website or get a copy from your local Superior Court. Type it or print in blue or black ink.
2. Complete every section that applies: employment, age and education, income from all sources for the last 12 months and for the last month, deductions, assets, people living with you, monthly expenses and any child support information. Write none rather than leaving a box blank. The court uses these figures to calculate guideline support under Family Code sections 4050 through 4076, so be exact.
3. Attach copies of your pay stubs for the last two months with Social Security numbers blacked out. If you are self-employed, attach a profit and loss statement for the last two years or the Schedule C from your last federal return, and attach proof of any other income. Bring a copy of your latest federal tax return to the hearing; it is not attached to the filed form.
4. Sign and date the declaration. You are signing under penalty of perjury under California law that the information is true and correct.
5. Serve the other party. If the FL-150 goes with a Request for Order or a Responsive Declaration, serve it with those papers. If you are filing it on its own, it must be served before it can be filed. For the preliminary disclosure exchange, serve the FL-150 with the FL-140 and FL-142 and file the FL-141 instead of the FL-150 itself.
6. File the original with the clerk of the Superior Court handling your case, in person, by mail or by e-filing where the court offers it, and keep a file-stamped copy. There is no filing fee for the FL-150; any fee belongs to the request it accompanies.
7. Bring a copy of the form and its attachments to every hearing where support or fees are at issue, and prepare a new one if more than three months pass or your finances change before the hearing.
Job-Related Expenses
List specific necessary expenses that your employer does not reimburse, and attach an explanation to highlight why these expenses are critical for your job function.
Asset Valuation
Be realistic about the fair market value of your assets. If the values are contested, you will need to provide appraisals or other documentation to substantiate your claims.
Childcare Expenses
Include any childcare costs necessary for you to work or attend job training. Documentation like receipts or invoices will help verify these expenses.
Job Clarity
If you have recently changed jobs or hold multiple part-time positions, be precise about which job you are referencing here. Attach a separate sheet if necessary to elaborate on different positions.
Filing Status
Choose your filing status carefully. If your situation is complex, such as being separated but still filing jointly, it may impact the calculations for spousal support or tax liabilities.
Estimate Caution
Only provide an estimated income for the other party if you have a reasonable basis to support your estimate, such as bank statements or past pay stubs. Speculation without foundation may weaken your statement.
Investment Details
Provide schedules for properties or investments that list total gross receipts and subtract any cash expenses. Don’t forget depreciation or any passive income nuances if applicable.
Self-Employment Income
Make sure to include only net income after deducting business expenses, and remember to attach profit and loss statements or Schedule C forms to validate your claims.
1
Review your filed FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration for completeness and accuracy one more time to ensure everything is clear and correct.
2
File a proof of service to show that you have served the other party with the form. Make sure the Proof of Service is done by someone who is at least 18 and not a party to the case.
3
Check if you need to submit any additional forms or documentation, such as recent pay stubs or tax returns, to support the information in your declaration.
4
Wait for a response from the other party. They may file a responsive declaration or other relevant documents related to financial disclosures.
5
Prepare for a court hearing if one is scheduled. Bring copies of all relevant documents, including your FL-150 form, supporting financial documents, and any responses received from the other party.
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The information provided on this website/page is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the author and any readers or users of this content.
